NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday did not consider Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s plea seeking a stay on the Gujarat court verdict disqualifying him for his ‘Modi’ remark. However, the apex court issued notices to the Gujarat government and complainant Purnesh Modi on an appeal of Rahul Gandhi challenging the Gujarat High Court order. The court will consider the case again on August 4.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Rahul Gandhi, sought an immediate stay of the judgment against Rahul Gandhi saying that Rahul has already lost 111 days as a Lok Sabha member. Singhvi requested the court to issue at least an interim stay order as elections can be declared in Wayanad at any time.

During the hearing, Justice Gavai offered to recuse from the case saying his father and brother have an association with the Congress party. However, both parties said they don’t have any objection to Justice Gavai hearing the matter.

After his conviction in the defamation case, Gandhi was declared disqualified as MP from Kerala’s Wayanad on March 24 following notification of the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The Gujarat HC later declined to stay Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in the criminal defamation case in which he was sentenced to two years in jail by the Surat court over the ‘Modi surname’ remark.